Langvarig menighetsutvikling: Hva skjer med menigheter som bruker Naturlig menighetsutvikling lenge?

Abstract

Longitudinal Church Development: Evaluating the Long-Term Impact of Natural Church Development

Natural Church Development (NCD) is one of several reform ideas Norwegian congregations use. Since 1998, 464 congregations have completed the NCD survey. 28 of these have used NCD for over ten years and completed at least four surveys. The research question in the article is: What changes have congregations that have used NCD for a long time experienced, and how can we understand these changes?

In the results, I present findings from the 2024 study on the experiences of the 28 congregations. Based on the results, I then discuss how we can understand the changes in the long-standing NCD congregations, and I end with three conclusions:

1. The 2024 survey of the 28 congregations shows that quality increased in 26 (92%) congregations. Two congregations scored lower. 21 (75%) of the congregations increased their score by more than five.
2. Long-term use of NCD contributed to new individual sub-skills and relational skills. The 2024 survey shows that 21 (75%) of the 28 congregations made progress on all three statements about praise, encouragement, and recognition. 20 (71%) of the congregations scored higher on gift-oriented ministry.
3. In more than half of the congregations that used NCD for a long time, church attendance also increased. 15 (54%) of the 28 congregations made progress. Two other surveys confirm that church attendance often increased in congregations that used NCD for a long time.